Baibars

Baibars or Baybars (Arabic: الملك الظاهر ركن الدين بيبرس البندقداري‎, al-Malik al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baibars al-Bunduqdari), nicknamed Abu l-Futuh^[1] (Literally "The father of conquest"; Arabic: أبو الفتوح) (1223 – 1 July 1277), was the fourth Sultan of Egypt from the Mamluk Bahri dynasty. He was one of the commanders of the Egyptian forces that inflicted a defeat on the Seventh Crusade of King Louis IX of France. He also led the vanguard of the Egyptian army at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260,^[2] which marked the first substantial defeat of the Mongol army and is considered a turning point in history.^[3]

The reign of Baibars marked the start of an age of Mamluk dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean and solidified the durability of their military system. He managed to pave the way for the end of the Crusader presence in the Levant and reinforced the union of Egypt and Syria as the region's pre-eminent Muslim state, able to fend off threats from both Crusaders and Mongols and even managed to subdue the kingdom of Makuria, which was famous for being unconquerable by previous Muslim empire invasion attempts. As Sultan, Baibars also engaged in a combination of diplomacy and military action, allowing the Mamluks of Egypt to greatly expand their empire.

Early life

Baibars was born in the Dasht-i Kipchak/Cumania, between the Edil (Volga) and Yaiyk (Ural) rivers, to the Cumans-Kipchaks (from the Berish tribe that currently lives in Kazakhstan).^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]} He was fair-skinned, blond,^[10] very tall, and had a cataract in one of his bluish eyes.

His name was derived from Kipchak Turkic bay ("chief") + bars ("panther").^[11]

It was said that he was captured by the Mongols in the Kipchak steppe/Cumania and sold as a slave, ending up in Syria. Baibars was quickly sold to a Mamluk officer called Aydekin al bondouqdar and sent to Egypt, where he became a bodyguard to the Ayyubid ruler As-Salih Ayyub.

Rise to power

The Mamluks under Baibars (yellow) fought off the Franks and the Mongols during the Ninth Crusade.

Baibars was a commander of the Mamluks under the Ayyubid. Baibars particularly involved in the significant victory where heled the Egyptian army at the Battle of La Forbie or also known as Battle of Harbiyyah, east of Gaza in 1244 in the aftermath of Sixth Crusade. In around 1250 when he defeated the series of Seventh Crusade of Louis IX of France. He also involved in Battle of Al Mansurah where he display the ingenious strategy Baibars ordered the opening of a gate to let the knights of the crusaders enter the town. The crusaders rushed into the town that they thought was deserted to find themselves trapped inside. The crusaders were besieged from all directions by the Egyptian forces and the town population and heavy losses were inflicted upon them. Robert of Artois who took refuge in a house.^[12][13] and William of Salisbury, were both killed along with most of the Knights Templar. Only five Templar Knights escaped alive.^[14]

He was still a commander under Sultan Qutuz at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260 when he decisively defeated the Mongols. After the battle, Sultan Qutuz (aka Koetoez) was assassinated while on a hunting expedition. It was said that Baibars was involved in the assassination because he expected to be rewarded with the governorship of Aleppo for his military success; but Qutuz, fearing his ambition, refused to give him the post, disappointing him.^[15] Baibars succeeded Qutuz as Sultan of Egypt.^[16]

Sultan of Egypt

Once Baibars had ascended to the Sultanate, his authority was soon confirmed without any serious resistance, except from Sinjar al-Halabi, another Mamluk amir who was popular and powerful enough to claim Damascus. Also, the threat from the Mongols was still serious enough to be considered as a threat to Baibars' authority. However, Baibars first chose to deal with Sinjar, and marched on Damascus. At the same time the princes of Hama and Homs proved able to defeat the Mongols in the First Battle of Homs, which lifted the Mongol threat for a while. On 17 January 1261, Baibars' forces were able to rout the troops of Sinjar outside Damascus, and pursued the attack to the city, where the citizens were loyal to Sinjar and resisted Baibars, although their resistance was soon crushed.

After suppressing the revolt of Sinjar, Baibars then managed to deal with the Ayyubids, while quietly eliminating the prince of Kerak. Ayyubids such as Al-Ashraf Musa, Emir of Homs and the Ayyubid Emir Dynasty of Hama (presumably Al-Afdal Muhammad), who had earlier staved off the Mongol threat, were permitted to continue their rule in exchange for their recognizing Baibars' authority as Sultan^[17]

The next step which Baibars needed after this was religious authority, so he sought legitimation from the Caliph in Baghdad, which was sacked by Ilkhanate Mongol army earlier. So by become a protegee of the Caliph, he had all he needed^[18]

Campaign against the Crusaders

Later, after Baibars was secure as sultan, he engaged was in a lifelong struggle against the Crusader kingdoms in Syria, Baibars did not forget how the Christians were aiding the Mongols, and started with the Principality of Antioch, which had become a vassal state of the Mongols and participated in attacks against Islamic targets in Damascus and Syria. In 1263, Baibars laid siege to Acre, the capital of the remnant of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, although the siege was abandoned and instead Baibars sacked Nazareth.^[19] He defeated the Crusaders in many other battles, such as when he attacked Arsuf (Apollonia) with siege engines from March 21 to April 30. After breaking into the town and forcing its defenders to surrender, he razed the castle to the ground.^[20] He next attacked Athlith and Haifa, where he captured both town after destroyed the crusaders' resistance, and razed the citadels.^[21] And

In the same year Baibars laid siege to the fortress of Safad, held by the Templar knights, the had previously in 1188 been conquered by Saladin in 1188. On capturing Safed, Baibars did not raze the fortress to the ground but instead he fortified it and repaired the damage, as it was very strategically well constructed. He installed a new governor in Safed, with the rank of Wali^[22]

Later, in 1266, Baibars invaded the Christian country of Cilician Armenia, which, under King Hethum I, had submitted to the Mongol Empire. This isolated Antioch and Tripoli, led by Hethum's son-in-law, Prince Bohemond VI. After successfully conquering Cilicila, Baibars in 1267 settled his unfinished business with Acre, and continued the extermination of remaining crusader garrisons in the following years. In 1268, he besieged Antioch, capturing the city on 18 May. Baibars had promised to spare the lives of the inhabitants, but he broke his promise and had the city razed, killing or enslaving the population upon surrender.^[23] Then he continued to Jaffa, which belonged to Guy, the son of John of Ibelin. Jaffa fell to Baibars after twelve hours of fighting on 7 March; most of Jaffa's citizens were slain, but the garrison was allowed by Baibars to go unharmed.^[24] after this he conquer Ashkalon, and Caesarea.

Diplomacy with Golden Horde

In some times around October to November 1267, or about 666 Safar of Hijra year, Baibars write a condolescence and congratulation to the new ascended Khan of Golden Horde, Mengu-Timur to urge him to fought Abaqa. Despite the failure to incite the infighting between the Golden Horde and Ilkhanate, Baibars continue to sent warm correspondency with the Golden Horde, particularly with Mengu Timur's general named Noqai, who is very cooperative with the relation with Baibars unlike Mengu Timur. It is theorized that the factor of this intimate was because not only because the religious connection as Noqai was a Muslim unlike his Khan but also because Noqai was not really fond with Mengu-Timur. However Baibars was pragmatic in his approach and did not want to share his hand for complicated intrigue inside Golden Horde and instead he stay close with both Mengu Timur and Noqai^[25]

Continued campaign against Crusaders

In 1271, after Baibars captured the smaller castles in the area, including Chastel Blanc, he besieged Krak des Chevaliers castle, held by the Hospitallers, on 30 March. Peasants who lived in the area had fled to the castle for safety and were kept in the outer ward. As soon as Baibars arrived he began erecting mangonels, powerful siege weapons which he would turn on the castle. According to Ibn Shaddad, two days later the first line of defences was captured by the besiegers; he was probably referring to a walled suburb outside the castle's entrance.^[26] After a lull of ten days, the besiegers conveyed a letter to the garrison, supposedly from the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller in Tripoli, which granted permission for them to surrender. The garrison capitulated and the Sultan spared their lives.^[26] The new owners of the castle undertook repairs, focused mainly on the outer ward.^[27] The Hospitaller chapel was converted to a mosque and two mihrabs were added to the interior.^[28]

Baibars then turned his attention to Tripoli, but he interrupted his siege there to call a truce in May 1271. The fall of Antioch had led to the brief Ninth Crusade, led by Prince Edward of England, who arrived in Acre in May 1271 and attempted to ally himself with the Mongols against Baibars. So Baibars declared a truce with Tripoli, as well as with Edward, who was never able to capture any territory from Baibars anyway. According to some reports, Baibars tried to have Edward assassinated with poison, but Edward survived the attempt and returned home in 1272.

Campaign against Makuria

In 1272 the Mamluk Sultan invaded the Kingdom of Makuria, after its King David I had raided the Egyptian city of Aidhab, initiating several decades of intervention by the Mamlukes in Nubian affairs. It was surprising that hostilities were initiated by Makuria as, unlike the Mamluks, it was not known for aggressive policy. ^[29] Hostilities toward the dying Christian kingdom were sidelined as Baibars' invasion of Makuria continued for four years until, by 1276, Baibars had completed his conquest of Nubia. Under the terms of settlement, the Nubians were now subjected to paying jizya tribute, and in return they were allowed to keep their religion, being protected under Islamic law as 'People of the Book'; they were also allowed to continue being governed by a king from the native royal family, although this king was chosen personally by Baibars, namely a Makurian noble named Shakanda.^[30] In practice this was reducing Makuria to a vassal kingdom,^[31] effectively ending Makuria's status as an independent kingdom

Campaign against the Mongols

In 1277, Baibars invaded the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm, then controlled by the Ilkhanate Mongols. He defeated a Mongol army at the Battle of Elbistan and captured the city of Kayseri. Baibars himself went with a few troops to deal with the Mongol right flank that was pounding his left wing.^[32] Baibars ordered a force from the army from Hama to reinforce his left. The large Mamluk numbers were able to overwhelm the Mongol force, who instead of retreating dismounted from their horses. Some Mongols were able to escape and took up positions on the hills. Once they became surrounded they once again dismounted, and fought to the death.^[32][33] During the celebration of victory, Baybars said that "How can I be happy. Before I had thought that I and my servants would defeat the Mongols, but my left wing was beaten by them. Only Allah helped us".^[34]

The possibility of a new Mongol army convinced Baibars to return to Syria, since he was far away from his bases and supply line. As the Mamluk army returned to Syria the commander of the Mamluk vanguard, Izz al-Din Aybeg al-Shaykhi, deserted to the Mongols. Pervâne sent a letter to Baibars asking him to delay his departure. Baibars chastised him for not aiding him during the Battle of Elbistan. Baibars told him he was leaving for Siwas to mislead Pervâne and the Mongols as to his true destination. Baibars also sent Taybars al-Waziri with a force to raid the Armenian town of al-Rummana, whose inhabitants had hidden the Mongols earlier.

Death

Baibars died in Damascus on 1 July 1277. His demise has been the subject of some academic speculation. Many sources agree that he died from drinking poisoned kumis that was intended for someone else. Other accounts suggest that he may have died from a wound while campaigning, or from illness.^[35] He was buried in the Az-Zahiriyah Library in Damascus.^[36]

Family

Baibars married several women and had seven daughters and three sons. Two of his sons, al-Said Barakah and Solamish, became sultans.

Assessment

Icon of Baibars from 1260

As the first Sultan of the Bahri Mamluk dynasty, Baibars made the meritocratic ascent up the ranks of Mamluk society. He took final control after the assassination of Sultan Sayf al Din Qutuz, but before he became Sultan he was the commander of the Mamluk forces in the most important battle of the Middle Periods, repelling a Mongol force at the legendary Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260.^[37] Although in the Muslim World he has been considered a national hero for centuries, and in Egypt, Syria and Kazakhstan is still regarded as such, Sultan Baibars was reviled in the Christian world of the time for his seemingly unending victorious campaigns. A Templar knight who fought in the Seventh Crusade lamented:

Rage and sorrow are seated in my heart...so firmly that I scarce dare to stay alive. It seems that God wishes to support the Turks to our loss...ah, lord God...alas, the realm of the East has lost so much that it will never be able to rise up again. They will make a Mosque of Holy Mary's convent, and since the theft pleases her Son, who should weep at this, we are forced to comply as well...Anyone who wishes to fight the Turks is mad, for Jesus Christ does not fight them any more. They have conquered, they will conquer. For every day they drive us down, knowing that God, who was awake, sleeps now, and Muhammad waxes powerful.^[38]

Baibars also played an important role in bringing the Mongols to Islam. He developed strong ties with the Mongols of the Golden Horde and took steps for the Golden Horde Mongols to travel to Egypt. The arrival of the Golden Horde Mongols to Egypt resulted in a significant number of Mongols accepting Islam.^[39]

Legacy

Military Legacy

Baibars was a popular ruler in the Muslim World who had defeated the crusaders in three campaigns, and the Mongols in the Battle of Ain Jalut which many scholars deem of great macro-historical importance. In order to support his military campaigns, Baibars commissioned arsenals, warships and cargo vessels. He was also arguably the first to employ explosive hand cannons in war, at the Battle of Ain Jalut.^[40][41] His military campaign also extended into Libya and Nubia.

Culture and science

He was also an efficient administrator who took interest in building various infrastructure projects, such as a mounted message relay system capable of delivery from Cairo to Damascus in four days. He also built bridges, irrigation and shipping canals, improved the harbours, and built mosques. He was also a patron of Islamic science, such as his support for the medical research by his Arab physician, Ibn al-Nafis.^[42] As a testament of a special relationship between Islam and cats, Baibars left a cat garden in Cairo as a waqf, providing the cats of Cairo with food and shelter.^[43]

Until this day its legacy of domesticated cats in Cairo were still seen^[44]

His memoirs were recorded in Sirat al-Zahir Baibars ("Life of al-Zahir Baibars"), a popular Arabic romance recording his battles and achievements. He has a heroic status in Kazakhstan, as well as in Egypt and Syria.

Al-Madrassa al-Zahiriyya is the school built adjacent to his Mausoleum in Damascus. The Az-Zahiriyah library, has a wealth of manuscripts in various branches of knowledge to this day. The library and Mausoleum are being reconstructed by Kazakhstan government fund.

In 2009, a copy of Sultan Beibars Mausoleum in Damascus was to be built in Kazakhstan.

In fiction

• Baibars figures prominently in the story "The Sowers of the Thunder" by Robert E. Howard. While liberties are taken with history for the sake of the tale, and many characters and events are purely imaginary, his character is fairly close to the folkloric depiction and the general flow of history is respected.
• Baibars is the main character of a novel "Yemshan" by Russian-Kazakh writer Moris Simashko (Moris Davidovich Shamas)
• Baibars is one of the main characters of Robyn Young's books, Brethren (starting shortly before he becomes Sultan) and Crusade.
• Baibars is the main character of Jefferson Cooper's (Gardner Fox) 1957 novel, The Swordsman
• According to Harold Lamb, Haroun of Baghdad in the Arabian Nights was really Baibars of Cairo.^[45]
• Baibars is one of the central characters in Lebanese- American author Rabih Alameddine's The Hakawati.
• Baibars is one of the characters in the The Children of the Grail books by Peter Berling.
• Sultan Beybars – movie shot in 1989 by Kazakh National Cinema Studio "Kazakh Film" Султан Бейбарс — художественный телефильм 1989 года
• Qahira ka Qaher (A Warrior of Egypt) Real biography of Sultan, written by historian Muazam Javed Bukhari

See also

• Ablaq
• Bahri dynasty
• Cumania
• Cuman people
• Kipchak people
• List of rulers of Egypt
• Sirat al-Zahir Baibars

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Baibars.

• Baibars article from Encyclopedia of the Orient
• Baibars in Concise Britannica online
• Al-Madrassa al-Zahiriyya and Baybars Mausoleum
• Brief Article in Columbia Encyclopedia
• Extensive Arabic Article on Baybars
• Brief Biography
• Levtzion, Pouwels (2000), The History of Islam in Africa given=Nehemia, Randall, Ohio university press, ISBN 0821444611